Mounting assembly for refrigeration compressors



Sept. 28, 1965 P. F. BLOOMINGDALE 3,203,700

MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS Filed April 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IO N INVENTOR.

PAE JL F. BLOOMINGDALE ATT'YS FIG! P 1965 P. F. BLOOMINGDALE 3,208,700

MQUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS Filed April 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: a PAUL F BLOOMINGDALE "'iz a BY United States Patent 3,208,700 MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS Paul F. Bloomingdale, Wichita, Kans., assignor to The Coleman Company, Inc., Wichita, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Filed Apr. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 275,912 Claims. (Cl. 24820) This invention relates to a mounting assembly for refrigeration compressors. The mounting assembly of this invention has particular utility with refrigeration units, such as the condensing units of home air conditioning systems, which include a refrigeration compressor and other associated components, such as the condenser coil, cooling fan, etc.

Refrigeration compressors are normally spring mounted so that in the operation of the compressor the vibration is absorbed to a considerable extent by the mounts rather than being transferred to the refrigeration unit casing. The vibration dampening mounts which are usually provided around the base of the jacketed compressor include compression springs and rubber vibration arresters. The degree of compression under which these elements are maintained is normally adjustable. An adjustment may be required due to the wear of the parts to maintain maximum dampening of the vibration, and adjustment has usually been required in connection with the shipping and handling of the refrigeration units. To prevent damage to the compressor in handling and shipping, it has been the practice to tighten the mounts down to the point that they provide a substantially rigid support for the compressor. While this procedure is satisfactory from the standpoint of protecting the compressor, it has a definite disadvantage in connection with the installation of the refrigeration unit. In making the installation, it is necessary for the workmen to obtain access to the interior of the refrigeration unit-for the purpose of adjusting the mounts from their tightened shipping condition to a normal operating position where they provide resilient support for the compressor. In making this adjustment, there is danger that the workmen may not set the mounts properly, they may be either left too tight or too loose for proper vibration dampening, and there is also the possibility of unequal adjustment between the mounts.

It is therefore the general object of this invention to provide an auxiliary mounting assembly for refrigeration compressors which substantially overcomes the problems and difficulties described above. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compressor mounting assembly which permits the compressors to be shipped with the vibration dampening mounts preadjusted to normal operating condition, while at the same time providing a firm and rigid support for the compressor during shipment. A related object is to provide a mounting assembly which can be removed from the outside of the refrigeration unit casing as part of the installation procedure, thereby making it unnecessary for the worker to obtain access to the interior of the casing or to make any adjustment of the permanent mounting of the compressor. Further objects and advantages will be indicated in the following detailed specification.

This invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a refrigeration unit, partly in section, wherein the mount-' ing assembly of this invention is incorporated;

FIGURE 2 is a top sectional view of the refrigeration unit taken on line 2--2 of,FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional elevational view of the same compressor unit taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

3,208,700 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the exterior of the refrigeration unit casing and illustrating the operation of the pull-out rods.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the refrigeration unit is designated generally by the letter R. It will be understood that only part of the complete refrigeration unit is shown. The other components of a typical refrigeration unit, such as the condensing coil, cooling fan, etc., are not directly related to the present invention, and therefore not shown in the drawings.

For the purpose of the present invention, it is suflicient to point out that the refrigeration unit R has an external casing which usually is of rectilinear configuration, and which completely encloses the operating components. In the illustration given, particular reference will be made to the horizontally extending bottom wall 10 and to the vertically-extending wall 11 of the external casing. As a matter of convenience, wall 11 can be described as a side wall. In most refrigeration units, however, the condenser coil is mounted adjacent the front wall of the casing, while the compressor is mounted adjacent the rear wall. In this case, wall 11 would be more specifically designated as a rear wall, and therefore it will be understood that the term side wall is used as including which ever vertically extending wall of the casing is adjacent the compressor.

In the illustration given, the jacketed compressor 12 is resiliently mounted within the casing on bottom wall 10 adjacent side wall 11. The mounting means, as shown more clearly in FIGURES 1 and 2, includes a plurality of vertically compressible mounts designated generally by the number 13, which are disposed around the base portion 14 of the compressor jacket. It will be understood that the compressor unit 12 is of a hermetically-sealed type wherein the compressor motor and compressor are contained within the jacket or compressor casing, as seen from the outside in FIGURE 1.

In the illustration given, the jacket base portion 14 is provided with a plurality of attachment feet 15 which are connected to the upper ends of mounts 13, and are in floating engagement therewith. More specifically, the inner end portions of the attachment feet 15 are rigidly connected to the jacket base 14 by spot welding, as indicated at 16 in FIGURE 2. It will be understood that the form and means of attachment of the feet 15 can be varied.

The resilient mounts 13 are of conventional construction. They include a central vertically-extending stud 17 which has its lower end aflixed to base 10 by welding or other suitable attachment procedure. The upper end portions of studs 17 are threaded for receiving an adjustment nut 18. The outer ends of feet 15 are provided with a hole through which stud 17 extends. In the assembled mount, as shown, a washer 19 is normally interposed between nut 18 and the top of feet 15. For example, the combination of a steel and rubber washer can be used. The mounts also include a compression spring 20 and a rubber vibration arrester 21 having a foot portion 21a on which spring 20 bottoms.

Since the construction of vibration dampening mounts, such as mounts 13 are well-known in the art, it is not believed it will be necessary to further describe them herein. It will be understood that the springs 21 provide a resilient, compressible support for the compressor 12. In normal operating position therefore the turns of the spring 20 will be in separated relation, as shown in FIG- URE 1, thereby permitting further compression of the spring, or adjustment of the degree of compression thereof by the tightening of the nuts 18 on the stud 17.

In accordance with the present invention, a refrigeration unit of the type heretofore described is provided with a temporary mounting assembly to facilitate the shipping or handling of the refrigeration unit, This installation.

assembly comprises pull-out rod means which extend from the outside of the refrigeration unit casing beneath the compressor jacket, and means within the casing for supporting the pull-out rod means in firm engagement with the base portion of the compressor, thereby providing a substantially rigid support for the compressor during shipping and handling while permitting the rods to be withdrawn from the exterior of the casing during This mounting assembly will be further illustrated in connection with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings.

The pull-out rods are designated generally by the number 22. In the illustration given, two pull-out rods 22 are provided, each of the rods cooperating with one of the aligned pairs of the attachment feet 15. In the embodiment of the drawings, as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, the attachment feet are positioned so that the pair thereof on each side of the jacket base are on a line substantially at right angles to the side wall 11. This arrangement facilitates the cooperation of the feet 15 with the rods 22, as will subsequently be described in greater detail.

As shown more clearly in FIGURES l and 2, the rods 22 extend from the outside of the casing through the side wall 11. The outer end portions 23 of the rods are laterally turned to provide a handle and attachment means. As illustrated more clearly in FIGURE 4, the rods 22 are readily slidable with respect to side wall 11, and extend through the openings in the side wall in relatively loose engagement therewith.

Means is preferably provided for releasably attaching the outer end portions of the rods to the outer face of wall 12. For example, as shown more clearly in FIGURES 2 and 4, sleeve brackets 24 can receive the handle portions 23, and can be releasably secured to wall 11 by screws 25.

In accordance with the present invention the rods extend beneath the base 14 of the compressor jacket, and preferably beneath one or more of the attachment feet 15. In the illustration given, as already indicated, each of the rods 22 are positioned to extend beneath and engage an aligned pair of the feet 15. For example, as indicated in FIGURE 3, if the feet 15 are channelshaped, the tops of the rods 22 can engage the lower ends of the channel walls. This particular arrangement, however, is not critical, and the rods can engage other portions of the feet 15, or can directly engage the underside of the jacket base 14.

Suitable support means are provided for the inner end portions of the rods 22. The support means should 'he designed to hold the rods against downward movement while permitting them to slide horizontally in an inward or outward direction for their insertion or removal through side wall 11. In the illustration given, there is provided a bracket 26 which is rigidly secured to bottom wall 11 by welding, as indicated more clearly in FIGURE 3. Bracket 26 includes vertically extending outer end portions 27 which provide openings for slidably receiving the outer ends of the rods 22 while supporting the rods against downward movement.

In order to provide for more complete support of the rods 22 and to provide a positioning gauge for the mounts 13, the brackets 26 can also provide intermediate platform supports 27, which, if desired, may bear against and support the undersides of the rods 22. In the illustration given, the platforms 27 are located intermediately between the attachment feet 15. The thickness of the rods 22, or more specifically the vertical distance between the top of platforms 27 and the lower ends of attachment feet 15 correspond with the normal preset operating position of the mounts 13. With this arrangement, the correct setting of the mounts can be gauged after the insertion of the rods 22 by tightening down the nuts 18 until the feet 15 come into firm engagement with the tops of the rods.

Operation The mounting assembly of this invention will normally be installed at the factory prior to the shipment of the refrigeration unit. The rods 22 can be inserted through the wall 11 with the mounts 13 in a somewhat looser condition than that desired for normal operation. After the insertion of the rods, the adjustment nuts 18 of the mounts can be tightened down until the attachment feet 15 bear firmly against the rods. This will establish the normal operating compression of the springs 20 of the mounts. The sleeve brackets 24 can he slipped over the handle portions 23 of the rods and aifixed to the wall 11 by the screws 25. The unit is then ready for shipping. The support bracket 26 and the rods 22 will cooperate to provide a very rigid support for the compressor 12 during the shipping of the refrigeration unit.

With the shipping and mounting assembly of this invention, the installation of the unit is greatly simplified. All that is required is to remove the screws 25, thereby permitting the rods 22 to be withdrawn. The handle portions 23 can be used to facilitate this withdrawal. Usually, the rods will slip out rather readily, but a suitable tool such as a pair of pliers can be used to grasp the handle portions 23 if it is necessary to exert more force on the rods. After the withdrawal of the rods, the compressor mounts are in their normal operating condition, and require no adjustment of the compression of springs 20. The workman installing the unit therefore does not have to obtain access to the interior of the casing, and no adjust ment of the compressor mounts is required.

If the refrigeration unit is to be moved or shipped to another location at a later date, it is a simple matter to reinsert the rods 20. As previously indicated, however, it is contemplated that the mounting assembly of this invention will be used primarily in connection with the distribution of the refrigeration units in the channels of commerce from the manufacturer to the user.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to a specific embodiment thereof and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that many of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a refrigeration unit having a casing including a bottom wall and a side wall, and a jacketed compressor resiliently mounted within said casing on said bottom wall adjacent said side wall by means including a plurality of compressible mounts disposed around the base-portion of said jacket, said mounts being adjustable to provide a predetermined compression thereof and the vertical position of said compressor jacket base portion being determined by the adjustment of said mounts, the mounting assembly comprising pull-out rod means extending from the outside of said casing through the said side wall in slidable engagement therewith, said side wall supporting the outer portions of said rods at a predetermined elevation, said rod means extending beneath said compressor jacket base portion and being in firm engagement therewith when said mounts are adjusted to a predetermined compression, and gauge support means for the inner portions of said rods for-holding said inner end portions at a predetermined elevation while permitting the sliding movement thereof for insertion and removal through said side wall, said rod means and said support means cooperating to provide a substantially rigid mounting for said compressor when said mounts are adjusted to said predetermined compression, whereby said rod and support means can function as a gauge for setting the compression of said mounts to be provided when said rods are removed.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer end portions of said rod means provide handle means for facilitating the insertion and removal of said rod means.

3. In a refrigeration unit having an external casing including a horizontally-extending bottom wall and a vertically-extending side Wall, and a jacketed compressor resiliently mounted within said casing on said bottom wall adjacent said side Wall by means including a plurality of vertically compressible mounts disposed around the base portion of said jacket, said jacket base portion including attachment feet connected to the upper ends of said mounts and being in floating engagement therewith, said mounts being adjustable to provide a predetermined compression thereof and the vertical position of said feet being determined by the adjustment of said mounts, the mounting assembly comprising pull-out rods extending from the outside of said casing through said side wall in slidable engagement therewith, said side walls supporting the outer portion of said rods at a predetermined elevation, said rods extending beneath said attachment feet and being in firm engagement therewith, when said mounts are ad justed to a predetermined compression and gauge support means for the inner end portions of said rods for holding said end portions at a predetermined elevation while permitting horizontal sliding movement thereof when said mounts are adjusted to said predetermined compression.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein the outer end portions of said rods are laterally turned to provide handles, and wherein said laterally turned portions are releasably attached to the outside of said side wall.

5. In a refrigeration unit having an external casing including a horizontally-extending bottom wall and a vertically-extending side wall, and a jacketed compressor resiliently mounted within said casing on said bottom wall adjacent said side wall by means including a plurality of vertically compressible mounts disposed around the base portion of said jacket, said mounts being adjustable to provide a predetermined compression thereof, said jacket base portion including atttachment feet connected to the upper ends of said mounts and being in floating engagement therewith, the vertical position of said attachment feet being determined by the adjustment of said mounts, the mounting assembly comprising pull-out rods extending from the outside of said casing through the said side wall in slidable engagement therewith, said side walls supporting the outer portion of said rods at a predetermined elevation, said rods extending beneath said attachment feet and being in firm engagement therewith, when said mounts are adjusted to a predetermined compression and gauge support means for said rods within said casing including a support for the inner ends thereof and for the intermediate portions thereof, said support means holding said rods at a predetermined elevation while permitting horizontal sliding movement for the insertion and removal of said rods when said mounts are adjusted to said predetermined compression.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,200,859 5/40 Leonard 24820 2,366,284 1/45 Nofzinger 248-19 2,407,014 9/46 Jones 248-20 2,692,681 10/54 Douglas 24821 X 2,75 1,602 5 5 6 Wilkerson 24824 3,059,882 10/ 62 Staar 248-20 FOREIGN PATENTS 103,226 5 37 Australia. 758,884 10/ 56 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A REFRIGERATION UNIT HAVING A CASING INCLUDING A BOTTOM WALL AND A SIDE WALL, AND A JACKETED COMPRESSOR RESILIENTLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CASINNG ON SAID BOTTOM WALL ADJACENT SAID SIDE WALL BY MEANS INNCLUDING A PLURALITY OF COMPRESSIBLE MOUNTS DISPOSED ARROUND THE BASE-PORION OF SAID JACKET, SAID MOUNTS BEING ADJUSTABLE TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED COMPRESSED THEREOF AND THE VERTICAL POSITION OF THE COMPRESSORE JACKETT BASE PORTION BEING DETERMINED BY THE ADJUSTMENT OF SAID MOUNTS, THE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING PULL-OUT RROD MEANS EXTENDING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF SAID CASING THROUGH THE SAID SIDE WALL IN SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, SAID SIDE WALL SUPPORTING THE OUTER PORTIONS OF SAID RODS AT A PREDETERMINED ELEVATION, SAID ROD MEANS EXTENDING BENEATH SAID COMPRESSOR JACKET BASE PORTION AND BEING IN FIRM ENGAGEMENT 